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Globes For Sale
Small Mid-Century Modern Italian Globe for Bar Desk Table
Small Mid-Century Modern Italian Globe for Bar Desk Table

Small Mid-Century Modern Italian Globe for Bar Desk Table

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Small Tabletop Vintage Wooden Spinning Globe, Marked "Made in Italy" Charming hand-crafted Mid-Century Modern spinning tabletop globe featuring an antique design sepia brown world m...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian British Colonial Globes

Materials

Wood, Paper

Antique Japanese Hand Blown Fishing Float
Antique Japanese Hand Blown Fishing Float

Antique Japanese Hand Blown Fishing Float

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Antique Japanese fishing float crafted with hand blown green glass and knotted rope. Two available sold separately.

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Globes

Materials

Rope, Glass, Blown Glass

Antique Victorian Terrestrial 12 inch Table Globe by Malby's 19th Century
Antique Victorian Terrestrial 12 inch Table Globe by Malby's 19th Century

Antique Victorian Terrestrial 12 inch Table Globe by Malby's 19th Century

Located in London, GB

An antique Victorian terrestrial 12-inch table globe by Malby's,  dating from the third quarter of the 19th century. This globe is sold on the understanding its needs full conservat...

Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Globes

Materials

Mahogany

Post Modern Lapis & Gemstone Revolving World Globe on Brass Stand & Compass
Post Modern Lapis & Gemstone Revolving World Globe on Brass Stand & Compass

Post Modern Lapis & Gemstone Revolving World Globe on Brass Stand & Compass

Located in San Diego, CA

Post-modern lapis and gemstone revolving world globe on brass stand, circa 1990s. This gorgeous globe is made of various gemstones that are perfectly cut and inlaid to form contents...

Category

Late 20th Century Afghan Post-Modern Globes

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Multi-gemstone, Brass

Inlaid Pietra Dura Gemstone Tabletop World Globe on Brass Stand
Inlaid Pietra Dura Gemstone Tabletop World Globe on Brass Stand

Inlaid Pietra Dura Gemstone Tabletop World Globe on Brass Stand

Located in Doylestown, PA

Vintage inlaid semi-precious gemstone tabletop terrestrial globe on a brass stand. A labor-intensive, beautiful work with hand-cut and inlaid stones including Tiger's Eye, Jasper, M...

Category

Late 20th Century Globes

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Multi-gemstone, Malachite, Marble, Brass

Mid Century Modern Cram's Imperial World Desktop Globe on Stand
Mid Century Modern Cram's Imperial World Desktop Globe on Stand

Mid Century Modern Cram's Imperial World Desktop Globe on Stand

By Cram's

Located in San Jose, CA

Vintage desk or tabletop globe map with metal atomic stand by George F. Cram Company. This piece rotates on a semi-meridian and displays plenty of vintage charm. The perfect accessor...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Globes

Materials

Metal

Table Top World Globe in Lapis and Brass Elegant Pietra Dura World Globe
Table Top World Globe in Lapis and Brass Elegant Pietra Dura World Globe

Table Top World Globe in Lapis and Brass Elegant Pietra Dura World Globe

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Table Top World Globe in Lapis and Brass Elegant Pietra Dura World Globe in Lapis enamel and Brass finish with coloured stones for the countries Underneath the globe there is a com...

Category

1970s Post-Modern Vintage Globes

Materials

Brass

English Regency Style Novelty Mounted Globe Bar
English Regency Style Novelty Mounted Globe Bar

English Regency Style Novelty Mounted Globe Bar

Located in Queens, NY

English Regency-style (Mid-Century) novelty bar concealed in a bisected hinged globe head mounted on a round three legged stand on casters.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Globes

19th Century Terrestrial Globe - by Ikelmer Paris
19th Century Terrestrial Globe - by Ikelmer Paris

19th Century Terrestrial Globe - by Ikelmer Paris

By Ikelmer

Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant

A beautiful antique globe, issued by the French maker Ikelmer Paris. The globe was made around 1880-1890. The globe is made of paper, the base is made of black lacquered wood. The gl...

Category

Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Globes

Materials

Wood, Paper

Giovanni Maria Cassini's 1843 table globe
Giovanni Maria Cassini's 1843 table globe

Giovanni Maria Cassini's 1843 table globe

Located in Milan, IT

Tabletop terrestrial globe, made according to the knowledge of Giovanni Maria Cassini (Venice 1745 - Rome 1824) regular cleric of the Somaschi Fathers, an order proposed in Venice in...

Category

1840s Antique Globes

Materials

Wood

American Mid-Century Desk Globe
American Mid-Century Desk Globe

American Mid-Century Desk Globe

Located in Queens, NY

American Mid-Century desk globe on an octagonal wood base with an interior light

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Globes

Naive Canvas Embroidered World Globe, Wood and Iron Stand
Naive Canvas Embroidered World Globe, Wood and Iron Stand

Naive Canvas Embroidered World Globe, Wood and Iron Stand

Located in Miami, FL

Naive Canvas Embroidered World Globe, Wood and Iron Stand Offered for sale is a vintage traditional-style handmade world globe with a canvas glove that spins. The canvas is embroide...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Globes

Materials

Iron

Vintage Decorative Tessellated Stone Spheres - Set of 4
Vintage Decorative Tessellated Stone Spheres - Set of 4

Vintage Decorative Tessellated Stone Spheres - Set of 4

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This striking set of four vintage tessellated spheres is a masterclass in geometric precision and artisanal craftsmanship. Reminiscent of the high-style designs of Maitland-Smith and...

Category

Late 20th Century Indian Hollywood Regency Globes

Materials

Stone

Floor Model Light Up Globe by Replogle Ca. 1950/1960's
Floor Model Light Up Globe by Replogle Ca. 1950/1960's

Floor Model Light Up Globe by Replogle Ca. 1950/1960's

By Replogle Globes

Located in New York, NY

Exceptional light up floor model globe, by Replogle Globes Inc. The globe is 16 in. in diameter, it features an interior light, and restrain a solid mahogany frame. This example is i...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Globes

Materials

Glass, Mahogany, Paper

Industrial Electric Black Fan Dutch Design, 1930s
Industrial Electric Black Fan Dutch Design, 1930s

Industrial Electric Black Fan Dutch Design, 1930s

Located in Antwerp, BE

Electric fan manufacture E.M.I. Utrecht Holland. Black and brass robust industrial fan from the 1930s.E.M.I. Utrecht Holland. The fan has a cast iron ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Art Deco Globes

Materials

Brass, Iron

Earth Globe Black and Teak N°1 Sculpture
Earth Globe Black and Teak N°1 Sculpture

Earth Globe Black and Teak N°1 Sculpture

Located in Paris, FR

Sculpture Earth Globe Black and Teak n°1 all in hand-carved natural teak root and with black volcanic sand. On swivel base with easy rotative syste...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Globes

Materials

Sandstone

Vintage Light Up  Replogle Globe on Stand with Original Atlas Book
Vintage Light Up  Replogle Globe on Stand with Original Atlas Book

Vintage Light Up Replogle Globe on Stand with Original Atlas Book

By Replogle Globes

Located in New York, NY

Great vintage Replogle Globe, made in Chicago, circa late 1950/ early 1960's. The globe lights up, in addition to rotating on its axis. The globe is mounted on a stylized metal stand...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Globes

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Globe on Smoked Lucite Stand
Midcentury Globe on Smoked Lucite Stand

Midcentury Globe on Smoked Lucite Stand

By National Geographic

Located in San Diego, CA

Large midcentury globe on smoked Lucite stand by National Geographic, circa 1970s. This a very cool piece with removable and super colorful 16" D glo...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Globes

Materials

Lucite

Chrome Sphere
Chrome Sphere

Chrome Sphere

Located in New York, NY

A chrome plated brass sphere decorative object, in the Modern style/Postmodern period, circa late-20th century. Piece is weighted with flat bottom for stability. Very good condition,...

Category

Late 20th Century Modern Globes

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Terrestrial Globe By J. Forest Paris From The Early 20th Century
Terrestrial Globe By J. Forest Paris From The Early 20th Century

Terrestrial Globe By J. Forest Paris From The Early 20th Century

Located in Brussels, Brussels

A very beautiful early 20th-century globe, circa 1910, by J. Forest, Paris, scale 1/40,000,000. The globe has a superb blackened wood base with a fine turning. very beautiful globe ...

Category

Early 20th Century French Aesthetic Movement Globes

Materials

Paper

English Pocket Globe by Herman Moll, Circa 1775-1798, England
English Pocket Globe by Herman Moll, Circa 1775-1798, England

English Pocket Globe by Herman Moll, Circa 1775-1798, England

By Herman Moll

Located in Milano, IT

Pocket globe London, between 1775 and 1798 Re-edition of the globe of Hermann Moll (1678-1732) dated 1719 The globe is contained in its original case, which itself is covered in shark skin. There are slight gaps in the original paint on the sphere. The case no longer closes. The sphere measures 2.7 in (7 cm) in diameter whereas the case measures 2.9 in (7.4 cm) in diameter. lb 0.22 (kg 0.1) The globe is made up of twelve printed paper gores aligned and glued to the sphere. In the North Pacific Ocean there is a cartouche with the inscription: A Correct Globe with the new Discoveries. The celestial globe is depicted on the inside of the box and is divided into two hemispheres with the cartouche: A correct globe with ye new cons relations of Dr. Halley & c. It shows the ecliptic divided into the days of the zodiacal calendar and the constellations represented as animals and mythological figures. On the globe are delineated the equinoctial line, divided by degrees and hours, the ecliptic and the meridian (passing west of Greenwich). The continents are shaded and outlined in pink, green and yellow. It shows: the Cook routes; a wind rose in the Southern Indian Ocean; Antarctica without land; Africa with Negroland (Hermann Moll is considered the first geographer to name the West African region in his 1727 map. (Encyclopaedia Britannica, ed. 1902, under "States of Central Africa"); Tartary in Central Asia; the Mogul kingdom in northern India; in North America only New England, Virginia, Carolina, Florida, Mississippi are identified; California is already a peninsula; the northwest coast of America is "unknown parts" (Alaska is not described and it is only partially delineated, it was to become part of the United States in 1867); Mexico is named "Spain"; Central South America "Amazone America". Australia (which was to be so named after 1829) is called New Holland. The route of Admiral Anson is traced (1740) and the trade winds are indicated by arrows. (See Van der Krogt, P., Old Globes in the Netherlands, Utrecht 1984, p. 146 and Van der Krogt, P. - Dekker, E., Globes from the Western World, London 1993, pp. 115.) Elly Dekker, comparing Moll’s 1719 globe and his re-edition (of which the one described above is a sample), identifies the differences between them: the two editions are quite similar to each other, but in the "anonymous" globe, compared to the previous globe of 1719, California looks like a proper peninsula - the reports of the Spanish explorers of the region had given rise to uncertainty over whether it was connected to the mainland or not. The geographical nature of California was confirmed after the explorations of Juan Bautista de Anza (1774-1776). The routes of Dampier's journey were partially erased and the route of Captain James Cook's first voyage was superimposed on them, and the geography of Australasia was adapted accordingly, including the denomination of the Cook Strait. See Dekker, Elly, Globes at Greenwich, 1999. An important ante quem element is represented by Tasmania: it is not separated from Australia by the Bass Strait...

Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Globes

Materials

Shagreen, Paper

Vintage Industrial Style Manually Operational Astrological Planetarium
Vintage Industrial Style Manually Operational Astrological Planetarium

Vintage Industrial Style Manually Operational Astrological Planetarium

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Industrial-style astrological chart with terrestrial tin litho globe and light feature. Unique piece, closest to a Tellurium, Planetarium or Trippensee in categorization, though lack...

Category

1950s American Vintage Globes

Materials

Metal, Steel, Tin

Antique Victorian Terrestrial Table Globe by Wyld's 19th Century
Antique Victorian Terrestrial Table Globe by Wyld's 19th Century

Antique Victorian Terrestrial Table Globe by Wyld's 19th Century

Located in London, GB

A fine antique early Victorian terrestrial Wyld's Globe 12-inch table globe,  dated 1849. The globe with twelve gores, a brass meridian ring and horizon band bears the label WYLD'S...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Globes

Materials

Brass

Vintage Art Deco Style 12" Reploge Globemaster World Globe
Vintage Art Deco Style 12" Reploge Globemaster World Globe

Vintage Art Deco Style 12" Reploge Globemaster World Globe

By Replogle Globes

Located in San Diego, CA

Beautiful 12" fiberglass and metal earth globe by Globemaster Reploge Globes Inc. Chicago. Incredibly stylish piece that stands on a metal base with full detail. This whimsical pi...

Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Globes

Materials

Metal

Earth globe complete with 8-day winding clock and moon phase late 1800s
Earth globe complete with 8-day winding clock and moon phase late 1800s

Earth globe complete with 8-day winding clock and moon phase late 1800s

Located in Milan, IT

Earth globe complete with moon phase clock with sphere that rotates over 24 hours and the time is indicated by a brass hand, eight-day charge. French manufacture for the English mark...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Globes

Materials

Brass

A scarce and beautiful miniature celestial globe produced in Amsterdam.
A scarce and beautiful miniature celestial globe produced in Amsterdam.

A scarce and beautiful miniature celestial globe produced in Amsterdam.

By Gerard and Leonard Valk

Located in ZWIJNDRECHT, NL

Novus Globus / COELESTIS / Auct. Et Edit. / GERH. Et LEONH. VALK / Amstelodami Diameter globe: 3 inches / 7.6 cm. - Total height: 5,91 inches / 15 cm. A scarce and beautiful minia...

Category

Early 18th Century Dutch Colonial Antique Globes

Materials

Plaster, Hardwood

1868s globe published by Verlag Dietrich Reimer by cartographer Carl Adami
1868s globe published by Verlag Dietrich Reimer by cartographer Carl Adami

1868s globe published by Verlag Dietrich Reimer by cartographer Carl Adami

Located in Milan, IT

Terrestrial Globe published in 1868 by Verlag Dietrich Reimer by cartographer Carl Adami. Ebonized wood basket tripod base with compass at base, sphere made of papier mache and pla...

Category

1860s Antique Globes

Materials

Wood

1960s Replogle 'Comprehensive' Illuminated Globe on Walnut Base
1960s Replogle 'Comprehensive' Illuminated Globe on Walnut Base

1960s Replogle 'Comprehensive' Illuminated Globe on Walnut Base

By Replogle Globes

Located in Brooklyn, NY

1960s Replogle 'Comprehensive' globe composed of paper gores over plastic with a cast aluminum half-meridian all mounted to a walnut base equipped with two upright dividers for paper...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Globes

Materials

Aluminum

Antique Terrestrial Globe by Cary, Early Victorian, 1840
Antique Terrestrial Globe by Cary, Early Victorian, 1840

Antique Terrestrial Globe by Cary, Early Victorian, 1840

By Cary’s

Located in Milano, IT

John and William Cary Updated by George and John Cary Terrestrial Globe London, 1840 lb 22 (kg 10) Slight surface abrasions due to use. A small crack on the horizon circle. The globe rests in its original Dutch style stand with four supporting turned wood columns. It measures 26 in in height x 23.6 in in diameter with the diameter of the sphere measuring 18 in; 66 cm in height x 60 cm in diameter with the diameter of the sphere measuring 45.72 cm. The 18 inch...

Category

1840s English Early Victorian Antique Globes

Materials

Paper, Wood

Replogle Globe Vintage 16" World Classic Globe, LeRoy M Tolman Cartographer
Replogle Globe Vintage 16" World Classic Globe, LeRoy M Tolman Cartographer

Replogle Globe Vintage 16" World Classic Globe, LeRoy M Tolman Cartographer

By Replogle Globes

Located in Stamford, CT

Experience a piece of history with this vintage Replogle Globe, LeRoy M. Tolman cartographer. This 16-inch diameter World Classic series globe offers a timeless and detailed view of ...

Category

Late 20th Century American Globes

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Italian World Globe with Interior Dry Bar Storage
Mid Century Italian World Globe with Interior Dry Bar Storage

Mid Century Italian World Globe with Interior Dry Bar Storage

Located in Opa Locka, FL

Stunning Vintage 1960's Italian World Globe Dry Bar. Beautiful and very artistic. Opens to reveal interior dry bar storage Carved wood and on rollers. Antique look.

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Globes

Materials

Wood

Large 1940s globe from Paravia based on a drawing by C. Boehmer
Large 1940s globe from Paravia based on a drawing by C. Boehmer

Large 1940s globe from Paravia based on a drawing by C. Boehmer

Located in Milan, IT

Large globe published in the 1940s by Paravia based on a design by C. Boehmer. In addition to the spatial map, ocean currents are depicted. Papier mache and plaster sphere covered wi...

Category

1940s Vintage Globes

Materials

Metal

Handsome Freestanding Globe on Wrought Iron Base
Handsome Freestanding Globe on Wrought Iron Base

Handsome Freestanding Globe on Wrought Iron Base

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Tall freestanding globe on hand wrought iron stand with neutral colors.

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Globes

Materials

Wrought Iron

Vintage Replogle World Globe on Wooden Stand, Neoclassical Style
Vintage Replogle World Globe on Wooden Stand, Neoclassical Style

Vintage Replogle World Globe on Wooden Stand, Neoclassical Style

By Replogle Globes

Located in San Carlos, CA

For Sale: Vintage 1980s 16" Replogle World Globe on Wooden Stand Discover a piece of history with this beautifully crafted vintage Replogle globe, perfect for any collector or world...

Category

1980s American Neoclassical Vintage Globes

Materials

Wood

Soviet Navy Celestial Globe
Soviet Navy Celestial Globe

Soviet Navy Celestial Globe

Located in New York, NY

While Thierry Despont (1948 - 2023) was best-known for his architectural practice—for his integral role in the restoration of the Statue of Liberty, his re-imagining of the Ritz in P...

Category

20th Century American Globes

Materials

Metal

Art Deco Table Globe, Ebonized Wood Base, French Design, 1940
Art Deco Table Globe, Ebonized Wood Base, French Design, 1940

Art Deco Table Globe, Ebonized Wood Base, French Design, 1940

Located in Austin, TX

Table top globe from the Art Deco period in France. This piece features an ebonized and French polish base base.

Category

1940s French Art Deco Vintage Globes

Materials

Wood

A little terrestral globe by Newton, London 1820.
A little terrestral globe by Newton, London 1820.

A little terrestral globe by Newton, London 1820.

Located in Milan, IT

Over a round foot that rise with a central element with moved profile is connected the brass half meridian, which holds at the ends the metal axe of the little globe. The base is mad...

Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Globes

Materials

Metal, Brass

Earth Globe White and Teak Sculpture
Earth Globe White and Teak Sculpture

Earth Globe White and Teak Sculpture

Located in Paris, FR

Sculpture Earth Globe white and teak all in hand-carved natural teak root and white quartz powder. On swivel base with easy rotative system. Each piece is unique.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Globes

Materials

Quartz

German Columbus terrestrial globe for the Dutch market early 20th century
German Columbus terrestrial globe for the Dutch market early 20th century

German Columbus terrestrial globe for the Dutch market early 20th century

Located in Milan, IT

Earth globe published for the Dutch market in the early 20th century by the Columbus publishing house, the cartouche reads: Dr. R. Neuse's Aardglobe. Nederlandsche bewerking van R.E....

Category

Early 19th Century Antique Globes

Materials

Paper

Pietra Dura and Brass Globe Attributed to Maitland Smith
Pietra Dura and Brass Globe Attributed to Maitland Smith

Pietra Dura and Brass Globe Attributed to Maitland Smith

By Maitland Smith

Located in Pasadena, TX

Captivating Pietra Dura globe featuring marble, mother-of-pearl and other semi-precious stones suspended in a solid brass mount. The brass tripod turns 360 degrees and tilts. The sph...

Category

20th Century Indian Globes

Materials

Granite, Marble, Brass

1950s Midcentury Modern Globe Lamp / Light
1950s Midcentury Modern Globe Lamp / Light

1950s Midcentury Modern Globe Lamp / Light

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Elegant mid-century modern globe with lamp. Classic minimalist silhouette constructed of solid wood, which has been completely refinished in black satin lacquer. The colors are bold ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Globes

Materials

Wood

A pair of extremely rare Valk table globes
A pair of extremely rare Valk table globes

A pair of extremely rare Valk table globes

$255,639Sale Price / set|20% Off

A pair of extremely rare Valk table globes

By Gerard and Leonard Valk

Located in ZWIJNDRECHT, NL

Title on the globes: VALK, Gerard and Leonard. [Terrestrial globe:] Cosmotheore, caelesti nostro globo, par, et plane novus, hic terrestris ut existeret, certo scias, errore veterum ...

Category

18th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Globes

Materials

Other

Terrestrial Globe with Carved Wood Base, Spanish Colonial Style, ca. 1950
Terrestrial Globe with Carved Wood Base, Spanish Colonial Style, ca. 1950

Terrestrial Globe with Carved Wood Base, Spanish Colonial Style, ca. 1950

Located in Barcelona, ES

Terrestrial Globe on Hand-Carved Pine Wood Stand Manufactured in Spain, 1940s-1950s Mid-20th century terrestrial globe with Spanish Revival taste depicting a map from the early 17th ...

Category

20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Globes

Materials

Wood, Paper

Splendid Paul McCobb Globe
Splendid Paul McCobb Globe

Splendid Paul McCobb Globe

Located in Evanston, IL

Lovely Paul McCobb globe is a stunning example of good design for the Repogle Globe company in the 1970's McCobb's design ethos emphasized practica...

Category

1970s American Vintage Globes

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Replogle Globe on Iron Stand by Paul McCobb
Mid-Century Modern Replogle Globe on Iron Stand by Paul McCobb

Mid-Century Modern Replogle Globe on Iron Stand by Paul McCobb

By Replogle Globes, Paul McCobb

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A rare and iconic mid-century globe designed by Paul McCobb for his Planner Group line, manufactured by Replogle and presented on its original minimalist iron stand. This 16-inch dia...

Category

1950s Vintage Globes

Materials

Iron

Large-Scale Vintage Military Globe / Activity Globe by A.J. Nystrom
Large-Scale Vintage Military Globe / Activity Globe by A.J. Nystrom

Large-Scale Vintage Military Globe / Activity Globe by A.J. Nystrom

By A.J. Nystrom & Co

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Machine Age-style A.J. Nystrom of Chicago Military or Activity Globe composed of a spun metal blue orb with green slated land masses outlined in yellow. These globes were used by the...

Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Globes

Materials

Metal

Globe World Sphere Crystal
Globe World Sphere Crystal

Globe World Sphere Crystal

Located in New York, NY

A crystal world globe on pedestal base. Position globe as you wish atop pedestal. Two pieces as shown in images. A great decorative object for a shelf, table, desk, library, etc. Ver...

Category

Late 20th Century Globes

Materials

Crystal

Antique Terrestrial Globe Published in 1940s by Girard Barrère et Thomas, Paris
Antique Terrestrial Globe Published in 1940s by Girard Barrère et Thomas, Paris

Antique Terrestrial Globe Published in 1940s by Girard Barrère et Thomas, Paris

Located in Milan, IT

Terrestrial globe published in the 1940s by Girard Barrère et Thomas 17, Rue de Buci Paris. Turned wooden base, papier mâché sphere covered with paper printed by engraving on copper ...

Category

1940s French Vintage Globes

Materials

Wood, Paper

Antique, New and Vintage Globes

Antique and vintage globes can prove unique and interesting accents to your living space, whether on their own as provocative conversation pieces or part of a small collection dotting the shelves where your sculptures and other decorative objects live.

Globes are among the most ancient of scientific instruments. During the Age of Exploration, they were vital for navigation, bringing sailors home after perilous journeys on different trade routes. Globes didn’t just detail continental formations, they might also show astronomical positions — adventurous seafarers of the day would rely on stars’ positions in traveling the great waters ahead of them. Antique globes offer a glimpse into specific time periods and how peoples of the past navigated the world around them. These were tools that identified a region’s borders, the names of countries, territories and more as the Earth’s geography was once known or imagined. As information about a place became available to geographers over time, globes became more accurate.

Not all globes depict the Earth and its countries, landmasses and bodies of water. The models that do are known as terrestrial globes, while globes that detail the position of the stars and other heavenly bodies are called celestial globes.

Quite surprisingly, the construction of globes remains relatively unchanged from the 16th century. The base starts as two papier-mâché hemispheres, which have a wooden support pillar attached via the north and south poles. The hemispheres are joined with glue or sewn with string and are subsequently topped with more paper or even thin fabric. Lastly, the globe is covered with plaster, ready for the design to be pasted on top.

Perhaps even more surprising is that the decorative function of globes has not changed much since the 16th century. They’ve been given as gifts for hundreds of years, as globes have always been beautiful objects whether they’re in your home office or your living room, lining your mantel alongside other globes of different sizes. Recent globe designs offer modern variations in style and features, such as interior lighting, automatic rotation and more.

Today, vintage trunks and luggage have reappeared as furniture or decorative home accents in a bedroom or foyer. This likely owes to wanderlust, nostalgia and a shared love of good design. Decorating with globes is similarly rooted in the allure of travel and a penchant for the stylish finishing touch that collectibles bring to our homes. Antique globes add welcome doses of color and contrast to a house or apartment’s neutral corners, their sea blues and algae greens popping against reclaimed wood interiors or stone fireplaces.

On 1stDibs, you can find a collection of authentic antique and vintage globes including mid-century modernGeorgianArt Deco editions and more.